Spring practice begins with raised expectations for IU's defense

Teddy Bailey

IndyStar correspondent

BLOOMINGTON –

Just two days into spring practice, there’s a sense of confidence within Indiana’s defensive leadership.

There certainly should be, given Rashard Fant and Tegray Scales both decided to return for their senior years. Tom Allen’s secondary is now one of the most experienced in the Big Ten as Marcelino Ball and A’Shon Riggins will look to build on impressive freshman seasons, while Fant, Jonathan Crawford and Chase Dutra are now seasoned veterans.

Indiana’s defense, under Allen, improved from 120th to 45th-best in total defense last season. Now the trick is proving it wasn't a fluke.

“The expectations have been set,” Allen said. “They’re not satisfied. We had a good year last year, but we want to be a great defense.”

Fant, a second team All-Big Ten cornerback, ranked second nationally in pass breakups. Since redshirting his initial season in Bloomington, he has played every game for the Hoosiers. While the spring is still early, Fant noted a different approach to camp as a senior.

“When you’re younger, you’re just trying to make plays no matter what,” he said. “You don’t care if your technique’s bad, you just have to make a play. Being older, it’s more focused on things I need at the next level and going against the great receivers in the Big Ten. For me personally, it’s just focusing on my technique on each and every play.”

Although Indiana returns plenty of experience, Marcus Oliver’s departure has created a glaring hole in the middle of Allen’s defense. The Hoosiers have yet to start padded practices, however Allen is already looking toward Chris Covington and Dameon Willis as competitors for Oliver’s "Mike" linebacker spot.

“I really feel like I want to come out of spring ball with several guys that we feel good about,” Allen said. “That’s one of our goals. It’s one of our objectives of our spring to finish up with that, a really good depth chart, especially at that 'Mike' spot where we feel we have several options of guys who can rotate in there and do a good job together and find a guy who wants to take over and run this defense.”

Fant may take an even larger role than simply serving as IU’s lockdown corner by returning punts for the Hoosiers in 2017. He has experience both in high school and sparingly last season alongside Mitchell Paige, who graduated. The speedy 5-10, 175-pounder said he’s worked with Shane Wynn, now with the Jaguars, to become an electric returner.

“I’m just excited, given the opportunity, to be back there. Hopefully this year I can get the job and do some of the things I did in high school," Fant said. "I’ll see if I can make some plays and change the game, that's the big. I want to be that type of guy people have to worry about taking the ball to the house or flipping the field.”

On paper, Allen’s defense is essentially guaranteed to have the highest preseason expectations in recent IU history. Two days in, his leaders aren’t backing down from them.

"We can be even smarter and make better decisions because it’s expected of us," Fant said. "It’s exciting to see this new year of what we can do.”